Arsenal summer signing Bartley delighted with reserves breakthrough

"I've settled in well down here. My digs are really great and so is London," Bartley told arsenal.com.

"It was no problem joining up with the lads. I went on a pre-season tour of Italy with them and got on really well so that built our relationships up.

"Paul Rodgers has been excellent for me since I arrived. He has helped no end by talking and always encouraging me. [On Monday night] he was the captain and was excellent out there again. He instructed me both on and off the field so I have to say a big thank you to him for that."

The imposing centre-back made his Reserve team bow in Monday night's defeat by Fulham. The result was less favourable but Bartley was philosophical in his reflection.

"Of course it was a great experience tonight," he said. "Neil [Banfield] has given me my chance and although we have been beaten it's all about developing at the end of the day.

"They had a strong, nippy bunch of players for them, as well as having Jimmy Bullard out there. It was certainly going to be tough.

"Hopefully I can continue to be involved, looking especially at Friday's match with Burnley in the Youth Cup, and get more Reserve appearances under my belt.

"Title-chasing is a definite possibility with these lads. Neil and Steve Bould have asked us to go for all three - the Academy League, Reserve title and the FA Youth Cup. I want to be able to help with all of them."